Brain tumors are growths of abnormal cells in the brain and can vary greatly in their aggressiveness and potential to be fatal. Determining what percentage of brain tumors ultimately lead to death is challenging, as there are many factors that come into play.
Brain Tumor Statistics
According to the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA), an estimated 88,970 new cases of primary brain tumors are expected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2022.[1] This includes both malignant (cancerous) and benign (non-cancerous) tumors.
The ABTA estimates that 18,200 of those cases will be malignant tumors. The most common type of primary malignant brain tumor is glioblastoma, which has an average survival time of only 12-18 months with treatment.[2]
Benign brain tumors are more common than malignant ones. The ABTA estimates that 70,770 benign brain tumor cases will be diagnosed in 2022.[1] Many benign tumors like meningiomas have a better prognosis if caught early and treated.
Brain Tumor Mortality Rates
An analysis of brain tumor statistics from 2010-2014 showed:[3]
- The age-adjusted mortality rate for malignant brain and CNS tumors was 3.3 per 100,000 people per year.
- The age-adjusted mortality rate for benign brain tumors was 0.6 per 100,000 people per year.
Based on these rates, malignant brain tumors have a much higher mortality rate than benign brain tumors. However, exact survival and mortality rates can vary significantly based on tumor type, grade, location and other factors.
5-Year Relative Survival Rates by Tumor Type
| Tumor Type | 5-Year Relative Survival Rate |
|---|---|
| Glioblastoma (malignant) | 5.6% |
| Astrocytoma (malignant) | 65.6% (if grade I-II) |
| Oligodendroglioma (malignant) | 80% (if grade I-II) |
| Meningioma (benign) | 80-90% |
| Acoustic neuroma (benign) | 90% |
| Pituitary adenomas (benign) | Over 90% |
This table demonstrates the wide variation in survival rates depending on the specific brain tumor diagnosis.[4] Highly aggressive glioblastomas have a very high fatality rate, while slow-growing meningiomas and pituitary adenomas often respond very well to treatment.
Factors Affecting Brain Tumor Mortality
Some key factors that affect whether a brain tumor will be fatal include:
Tumor Grade
A measure of how aggressive cancer cells appear under a microscope. Higher grade tumors tend to have higher mortality rates.
Tumor Location
Tumors in critical areas like the brainstem are more difficult to treat and more likely to be fatal.
Age at Diagnosis
Younger people tend to have better outcomes with brain tumors than elderly patients.
Overall Health
Those with weaker immune systems and poorer overall health do worse with brain tumors.
Treatment Options
Access to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and clinical trials impacts prognosis.
Conclusion
While some benign brain tumors like meningiomas have high survival rates over 90%, highly malignant tumors like glioblastomas are almost always fatal within about 1-2 years. Overall, the ABTA estimates the mortality rate from malignant brain tumors to be around 3 per 100,000 people annually.[1] Mortality risk depends heavily on specific tumor characteristics and patient health profile.
Regular screening is unlikely to detect most brain tumors early, but being aware of concerning symptoms like headaches, vision changes and seizures and seeking prompt medical evaluation can help improve outcomes when a brain tumor is found and treated.